Hi, I too have an underactive thyroid. I gained about almost 50 lbs after being diagnosed. While I take medication, I still think our bodies don't work the same as people without endorcine issues--the whole "just cut your calories and workout" theroy just doesn't cut it---or for me it didn't.

I have been working out and reducing my carbs (replacing refined carbs with vegetables or keeping net carbs to 100-150g daily), the weight SLOWLY started to come off. Then recently I read that the fat hormone leptin is often the primary cause of many of the hypothyroid symptoms in overweight individuals so just recently, I started to follow the "leptin diet" rules:

Rule 1: Never eat after dinner. Rule 2: Eat three meals a day (do not snack).*Rule 3: Do not eat large meals. Rule 4: Eat a breakfast containing protein. Rule 5: Reduce the amount of carbohydrates eaten.

*should stay full for 3-4 hours between meals or you are not eating enough or not the right foods, feeling full beyond 4-5 hours means you've eaten too much

In addition to the 5 rules, I'd also add getting a good nights sleep. There is some recommended nutrients that are important for proper thyroid function (if you google, you'll find lots of information). If you don't think you can get proper nutriets from whole foods, then consider supplements.

Hope that helps! Everyone is different so try different things and see what your body responds to.

Cheers mrspackrat I already do rules 3 4 n 5 I often eat dinner anywhere between 7 and 9 at night depending on my shift so I do tend to snack apples bananas fruit of some sort but I have been told fruit is not good as its not digested properly I here so much conflicting stuff I'm now lost on what to actually eat

I have the double whammy of having Hashimoto disease and getting older. I don't think there is a specific diet that help with an underactive thyroid. I find most doctors try to keep you on a very low dosage of thyroid medication which keeps your metabolism slow and I agree with mrspackrat, the medication doesn't work the same what your body produces. The only way I found to lose weight is to lower my calories or up my exercise. You might have to eat less or exercise more than someone who doesn't have this problem. It is possible just harder....as if losing weight wasn't hard enough already.

I hear you on the conflict of information. The industry in general is very conflicted on what's really right. You just have to try different things, see what works. But I thought fruit was not ideal to eat by itself because it's high in sugar/sugars digest quickly and raise insulin levels. Fiberous fruits are best because the fiber slows the rate in which the carbs are processed by the body which slows insulin down. But as far as fruit/veggies not being digested properly, I question that as they contain most of our naturally occuring digestive enzymes.

I actually eat the peel of the apple (or not much of the meat which is mainly all sugar). The peel contains most of the vitamens, minerals and fiber of an apple and contains phytonutrients which help you regulate your blood sugar.

I heard on the Dr Oz show that if you cant lose weight with diet or excersize you might be lacking certain hormones. He suggested different things for different body shapes. I am taking Holy Basil and its working for me. I need to lose weight around my stomache and in 3 weeks have lost about 6lbs and stomache looking smaller. Maybe worth looking online to see if it will work for you.

Hi, I'm new ) I have just found this website as I am so fed up with the size of my belly! I had my second child in 2011 and by 2012 managed to get down to 3 pounds more than my pre pregnancy weight. Then I started feeling very low and sad and my anxiety levels got higher and I started having 2 periods a month which was so draining. It took me 3 months before I got tested and then took a further 6 months before I got a definitive diagnosis, as my doctor was convinced I had post natal depression! I knew that wasn't right so I kept pushing and in the end saw a different doctor and got my levythyroxine. I am on a very low dose of 25mg and although I feel less anxious I still have bouts of sadness- but I also have started working nights in the last few months so I think that links to that- as I come home from work and stay up until nap time at 1:30 with my children, and I only get an hour and a half to sleep whilst they do. Is there anything you would reccomend to help keep my energy levels up? I really want to get rid of my jelly belly and find some support whilst doing it. Please let me know how this all works and if you buddy up or talk as a group? Do you have individual groups? Thanksx

At present I weigh between 72 on the dot and 73.2.....it varies over the last 2 months...no matter what i do it just won't seem to go past 70!! I would be rapt in 69.9!! so of course i think ...stuff ...